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https://livestream.com/accounts/7325565/dellapleasant https://www.flipsnack.com/alcbf/della-pleasant.html Mrs. Della Marie Pleasant was born the eldest of 6 children to Vivian and A. Van Smith on July 12, 1929, in Austin Texas. She departed this life on December 15, 2021. She is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Barbara Nell White, and Vivian Evans, and three brothers, Arthur Van, Jr., Carroll Eugene, and Willie Dean Smith. Della was one of the first children to open the historic East Austin Lee Lewis Campbell Elementary School. She also attended the original L. C. Anderson High School, graduating in 1947. Della attended the Cresent School of Beauticians and received her license from the State Board of Cosmetology in 1947. She graduated at the top of her class. She never lost her love for hair care and enjoyed finding ways to promote healthy hair. Della was united in holy matrimony to Sylvester Pleasant Jr. on May 1, 1948. They were married for 46 years until his death on July 8, 1994. To this union three children were born. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, and cousin who cared deeply for and enjoyed taking care of her family. She was the family historian and loved sharing stories of days gone by with younger members of her family. Della was proud of the fact that God kept her and bought her through the Great Depression and World War II. She had a warm heart of love for people and enjoyed stimulating conversations and sharing words of godly wisdom. Della accepted Christ at the early age of 5. Over the years, starting as a young child, she was instrumental in leading several family members to the Lord. She was passionate about reading and studying the word of God. For fifty-four years she enjoyed teaching her Sunday School students who later became teachers, preachers, and church leaders. She was also a faithful member of the Chapel Choir, Deaconess Auxiliary, and Mission II Auxiliary. She was a faithful and active member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Austin Texas since 1962. She leaves to cherish her memory: two daughters, Janice Marie Templeton and Barbara Pleasant Blackwell (William); one son, Anthony Trigg Pleasant (Pam); eight grandchildren; William Templeton Jr. (Hazuki), Cranston Alkebulan (Christie), Mia Rogers (Louis), Alvin Jamarc Jones (Cora), Tranise Pleasant, Jania Pleasant, Nicole Blackwell, and Michelle Blackwell; 11 great-grandchildren; four great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

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Della Marie Pleasant

July 12, 1929 - December 15, 2021